Getting paid to sleep well: Vitality launches world-first Sleep Rewards

JOHANNESBURG, 7 May 2026 – Discovery Vitality today cements its position as the world’s most scientifically driven wellness programme by launching the proprietary Vitality Sleep Score and a new Vitality Sleep Rewards programme. This historic launch marks the first time in almost 20 years that Vitality has added a new core pillar to the programme, placing Sleep alongside Screening, Physical Activity and Nutrition, and taking a significant leap forward in how Vitality helps members live longer, healthier lives.

Backed by the groundbreaking ‘The Sleep Factor’ research,an analysis of over 47 million sleep records, the launch introduces a clinically meaningful metric that quantifies how sleep directly impacts mortality risk and long-term health. Poor sleep has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s disease – reinforcing sleep as a clinical and behavioural imperative rather than a lifestyle ‘nice to have’.

“We have long known that exercise, nutrition and screening are modifiable lifestyle behaviors, but the data is now unequivocal: sleep deserves to stand alongside them,” said Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality. “This is the first time in almost two decades that we have introduced a new Vitality pillar, and the evidence demanded it. Improving our members’ sleep is associated with up to a 24% lower risk of mortality and a 36% lower risk of motor vehicle accidents, potentially adding millions of healthy years across our member base. Sleep is no longer something we can afford to ignore – it is fundamental to long-term health.”

Govender added: “Our Sleep Score goes well beyond telling you how long you slept. By drawing on our extensive longitudinal health data, it focuses on the aspects of sleep that are most strongly linked to long‑term health outcomes, allowing us to translate everyday sleep behaviour into meaningful insights about future health. This is what enables us to give sleep its rightful place in the health equation.”

The Vitality Sleep Score: a data-driven advantage

In a world first, the Vitality Sleep Score (rated out of 100) moves beyond measuring time in bed by analysing sleep duration, regularity and quality from members’ connected sleep devices, and integrating this with Discovery’s rich clinical, demographic and lifestyle insights to deliver a personalised, health‑focused score.

This enables the proprietary Vitality Sleep Score to weight different dimensions of sleep according to an individual’s underlying health profile, placing greater emphasis on the aspects most strongly associated with long‑term health outcomes. The result is a score that is personalised to what matters most for each member’s health, rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all measure.

Vitality Sleep Rewards: Incentivising rest

Rolling out from today, Vitality Sleep Rewards applies the proven behavioural economics of Vitality Active Rewards – Discovery Vitality’s weekly incentive that rewards members for staying active, turning healthy behaviour into everyday benefits – to sleep. Members receive dynamic, personalised weekly sleep goals, viewable on the Discovery app. By meeting these goals, whether through improving bedtime regularity or achieving optimal sleep duration, members earn instant rewards, choosing between Discovery Miles or a partner reward each week.

Exclusive wearable integration: Oura Ring 4 & more

Following the exclusive partnership announced in late 2025, Vitality members can access the Oura Ring 4 – the world’s leading smart ring for sleep tracking. Members with a qualifying Discovery Bank account can fully fund the device by simply achieving their weekly sleep goals.

Sleep tracking is also fully integrated across other leading devices, allowing members to track using their Apple Watch, Garmin, or Samsung devices to generate their Vitality Sleep Score to achieve their sleep goals and earn rewards.

Upcoming expert engagement

To further champion the science of sleep, Vitality will host world-renowned sleep expert Dr. Matt Walker, Professor of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering at UT Dallas, in South Africa later this month. Dr. Walker will discuss the critical link between sleep and longevity, reinforcing the findings of the ‘Sleep Factor’ research.

“Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body daily,” said Dr. Matt Walker. “What Discovery is doing - placing sleep at the heart of their wellness ecosystem - is set to improve not just the lifespan of their members, but their healthspan.”

Accessibility for all

Understanding that not all members use wearables, Vitality is making sleep tracking more accessible through the Vitality Sleep Tracker, set to go live in the next few months.

Members who choose to opt in will be able to use their phone’s motion sensors, together with a proprietary algorithm, which will estimate when they go to sleep and wake up – delivering meaningful sleep insights without reliance on a wearable device. This ensures that everyone is able to understand their sleep health, and take steps to improve it, whether they have a wearable device or not.

ENDS